Clothes-washing machine having reciprocating clothes receptacle with restricted passageway



Apnl 6, 194s. A. D. LUND 2,439,215

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE HAVING RECIPROCATING CLOTHES RECEPTACLE WITH RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY Filed March 17, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet l 5 Z D E 8 M .Z f Y 1.0000090 ohv OOQHW V u M M 3 U 00 0 5 o L a I- m u M 4. F 2 A. 2 3 4 n M +1 a 7 o u V il.. n m 1 7 m 4- a 4 6 5 s u 2 o 4 A. 3 o 5 o .m .o s n o A. fI i www l INVENTOR. 'IRTHl/ D. Ll//V Apnl 6, 1948. A. D. LUND 2,439,215

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE HAVING RECIPROCATING CLOTHES I RECEPTACLE WITH RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY Filed March 17, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 5f HRT/mf? 0. UND .3. Y i q BY April 6, 1948. A, D, LUND 2,439,215 CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE HAVING RECIPROGATING cLoTHEs RECEPTACLE WITH REsTRIcTED PAssAGEwAY 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 17, 1944 Y INVENTOR. HRTHU? D. L'l//V Amen/m APU! 6 1948- A. D. LuND l 2,439,215

CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE HAVING RECIPROCATING CLOTHES RECEPTACLE WITH RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY.

Filed Ilarch 17, 1944 -5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Hala.

INVENTOR. FRTHUR 0. LU/Y l Patented Apr. 6,1948

OFFICE w CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE HAVING RE- CLOTHES RECEPTACLE WITH RESTRICTED PASSAGEWAY Arthur D. Lund,

Solar Corporation, tion of Delaware Minneapolis, Minn.. assignor to Milwaukee, Wil., a corpora- Application March 17, 1944, Serial No. l526,859

' 12 claims. (ci. cis- 23) 'I'his invention relates to washing machines I particularly for home or domestic use, and of the general type in which the clothes are washed, rinsed, and centrifugally dried in lthe same receptacle.

The principal feature of the invention is the provision of a perforate clothes receptacle mounted for vertical reciprocation in a surrounding tub, partially filled with the cleansing iiuid', and with baille means arranged in such manner as to produce a new, novel, land highly eiiicient washing action when the-receptacle is so act'uated.

Other objects areto provide improved, yet simple and practical mechanisms for mounting and actuating the receptacle, both for washing and rinsing, as well as for drying, so that the various operations may :be eiiectively performed in proper sequence and' for such durations as may be found desirable.

Further and more detailed objects will appear in the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like characters, and in which Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation taken centrally through a Washing machine exemplifying a preferred embodiment `of the invention,`this view being on the line l-l in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan View as seen on line 2-2 in Fig. 3, with fractional portions broken i away..

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the lower part only of the machine, as seen on the substantially diagonal section line 3-3 in Fig. 2. l y

Fig. 4 is a top or plan view of the machine, as shown in Figs. 1-3, but with various portions broken away for purpose of illustration.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation on line 7 5 5 in Fig. 2.

i Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detail plan view on line lI-.II in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a sectional plan view through the clothes receptacle in Fig. 9, on a reduced scale, showing the circular shape or contour oi the opening within the baille through which water and the articles to be washed are passed during the washing operation.

Figs. 13 to 17, inclusive, are similar to Fig. 12,

but show modified forms of baille.

Referring to the drawings more particularly and .by reference characters, andwith particular reference tothe disclosure in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, A designates an upright outer shell or housing which, as shown, is square in cross section, and is mounted on arectangular b ase B, being closed at its top by a cover C. A stationary tub D is mounted within .the housing,` and within this tub is disposed a perforated clothes receptacle Aor basket E, mounted both for vertical reciprocation and for rotary or spinning motion.

The housing A iits snugly over the base frame B to which it is rigidly secured, and its top 20 has4 a circular opening clo'sed by the cover C which is preferably hinged as lat 2l. This cover has an internal flange 2'2 provided with a gasket 23 closing against a bead 24 formed at the upper end of tub D and which is sealed with respect to the casing by a gasket 25, as shown in Fig. 1.

lImmediately below the bead 24 the tub D has an annular groove v26 in which is seated a perforated pipe 21 having an extension 28 (Fig. 4.1) for connection with the hot and cold water supply, the pipe 21 providing all water for the washing and rinsing operations.

At a lower pointthe tub D is provided with anannular groove 29, the purpose of which will presently be described, and at its bottom the tub is rigidly secured, by screws 30, to a central plate member 3l, formed as an integral part of the base frame B. The plate 3l has an outer annular groove 32, into which the tub drains, and this groove has an outlet spout 33 leading into a circulating pump 34, having an outlet 35, and driven by a small motor 36 which, with the pump, may be hung on the spout 33. The purpose of the pump and motor is to enable quick draining :if the tub, and where desirable may pump the water into an elevated drain or receptacle. The

pump, when idle, may serve as a check to prevent draining when the machine is in use, or if necessary a suitable valve may be inserted. Ordinarily, however, a hose is attached to the outlet 35. and with one end hungup in araised position will operate to keep the water 4at any level desired. 1

The plate 3| is further provided, concentrically within the groove 32, with an annular recess vor -channel 36', supporting a circular cushion 31,

up through which extends a tubular standard 38. This standard supports the clothes receptacle E but neither rotates nor reciprocates with lt. While having guiding support at its bottom the standard is primarily supported on the cushion 31 by a flanged nut 39 which screws on the standard and has inner and upper face contact with the cushion, as shown in Fig. l. It will also be noted that the center opening in plate 36 is somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the enclosed portion of the standard. Thus it will be evident that the cushion 31 is so disposed that it can take up vertical as well as radial vibrations imparted to the standard by action of the receptacle E, and this is regarded as a eature of the invention.

The receptacle E has a. sleeve 40 which surrounds the upper portion of the standard and this sleeve is free. to reciprocate vertically or rotate on the standard a bushing 4l forming bottom contact between the two.

At its upper end the sleeve 40 has a cap that seats in the grooved upper end of a sleeve 42 that projects upwardly within and above the standard, and thetwo sleeves are rigidly yet releasably secured together by a nut 43. Thisl nut also operates to secure an annular baille member F having a cylindrical part 44 that ts over a recessed upper end part of the sleeve 40.

The inner sleeve 42 extends through a packing gland 45 near the upperv end of the standard and this gland is held in a compressed sealing condition by a spring 46 held down by a bushing 41 threaded into the upper end of the standard. It will thus be seen that as the inner sleeve 42 is vertically reciprocated, or rotated, it will i point, is connected by link 13 to the crank armcorrespondingly reciprocate, or spin, the basket E and baille F.

The clothes receptacle or basket E is preferably formed in upper and lower sections having integrally connected flanges forming an annular ledge or flange 48. When the basket is in its lowermost position, as shown inFig. 1,'this flange is radially within the tub groove 29 thus leaving an annular passageway between the tub and l basket past the ange. `When the basket is raised, however, as indicated in Fig. 8 the flange 48 substantially closes such passageway except for necessary slight clearance. It may here also be noted that adjacentvthe iiange 48 the basket isprovided with a pair of inwardly formed beads 49 which are more pronounced in Fig. 8 than in Fig. 1.

From the flange 48 upwardly the side walls of the clothes receptacle imperforate but the top is perforated, as at 50, including a lid 5I which is hinged at 52 and provided with a latch handle 53 opposite the hinge.

The lower section of the receptacle E has its bottom and side walls perforated as at 54, and the bottom is also radially ribbed as at 55 for reinforcing purposes and also to break up the otherwise flat or plane contour of the clothes supporting'surface. The baiie member F is somewhat bell-shaped, both above and below, with the upper surface preferably at a steeper inclination than the lower, so as to facilitate the gravitational movement of the contents downwardly between the baille and beads 49 when the receptacle is moved upwardly.

Returning now to the center construction it will be seen that sleeve 42 extends downwardly into the enlarged lower section of standard 38 and over an upstanding shaft 56 the lower end standard 38.

of which is anchored in the hub of a pulley 51. Shaft 56 and sleeve42 vare splined together as at 58, so that the shaft will drive the sleeve in any position to which the latter maybe verg tically adjusted. At its bottom end the sleeve .42 is connected by bearing cage 59 to a 'collar 60 (Figs. 5-6) having diametrically opposed studs 6I extending out through vertical slots 62 in the The bearing 59 is of the sel!- aligning type capable of imparting both axial and radial thrust. Thus, when collar 60 is ver- 'tically adjusted, and without rotation, it will base frame is inserted at 64. This latter bear-` ing is secured in place from the bottom of the machine, and by removing screws 65 and nut 65a the entire center construction may be released foi` upward removal when so desired.

Pulley 51 is driven by belt 66 from a pulley l61 on the shaft of a motor 68 hinged at 69 and held in belt .tightening position `by spring '10. Vertical reciprocation ofthe sleeve 42 and its vsupported clothes receptacle E is produced by securingthe collar studs 6l in the forked arms This lever is attached at its opof a lever 1l. posite end to an .oscillatable fulcrum link 12, connected to the base B, and, at an intermediate 14 of a. transmission unit 15 having a speed reduction worm and gear driven by shaft 16 from motor 11, such motor being rigidly mounted to a strut member 18 of the base frame. The double link arrangement 12 and 13 is such as to allow the necessary rectilinear movement of the studs 6l and collar 60.' l

The operation of the preferred form of the xnachine, as thus described, may be explained as follows:

With the cover C and lid 5I open a predetermined amount of soap is placed in the bottom of the receptacle E and the latter is then filled with dry clothes or other fabrics to be cleaned preferably up to the flange line 48. The lid 5I and cover C are then closeddown, whereupon the washing action may be started by closing a circuit to themotor 11. Water is then turned into the tub through inlet 23 and perforated ring 21 in suicient quantity and at desired temperature. This water ui'llters down through and 'past the clothes where it reaches the soap which quickly dissolves under the combined action of heat and agitation. It may here be noted that with the washing action herein produced a comparatively small amount of soap and water, or suds, is required to effectively and thoroughly clean a batch of clothes.

As the motor 11 rotates the shaft 16 it operates through the transmission 15, crank 14, link 13, and lever 1|, to vertically reciprocate the sleeve 42 over a distance corresponding to the length of slots 62. As the sleeve then moves up and down it carries with it the receptacle or basket E and the baille F, but neither of these members rotate or oscillate during the washing operation.

When the receptacle starts upwardly the flange 48 leaves the groove 29 and therefore substan-4 pressure is developed in the upper end of the receptacle, thus supplementing gravity in forcing all water, suds and clothes in the upper part of the receptacle down through the annular space between the baffle F and the receptacle wall. This action is obviously negligible on the first upstroke, as the contents are already at the lower level, but is of utmost importance in the subsequent operation.

The reverse or down-stroke is equally, if not of greater importance, since here the effect of gravity must be entirely overcome' to raise the contents into vthe upper section of the receptacle. On the down stroke the flange I8 exerts a decided pumping action and forces the water and suds in through the perforatlons 54 setting up pressure and turbulence within the lower section oi the'recep'tacle that circulates the water and clothes upwardly into the upper chamber. This movement or circulation isin part only relative with respect to the baffle F, as the latter, in effect moves downwardly through the contents.

As the action continues the .contents are alternately moved into the upper and lower compartments of the basket, land this produces a very Aefficient washing operation. With each upward stroke the clothes are brought into close proximity or contact with the perforated sides and bottom of the receptacle, and with each downward stroke they are forced up into Contact with the perforated top of the container. The friction developed on such contacts 4is virtually negligible, however, with a result that there is no objectionable wear or tear on the clothes.

The significant and importantv feature of the operation lies in the fact that at the end of each up and clown stroke the clothes are spread out over a large area, so as to make full area contact with the suds, but when passing from one chamber to the other they are forced through the restricted'annular space between the baille F and ribs or beads 49, thus mov-lng at increased speed and with a highly effective squeezing and flexing action forcing the fluid through all the fibers of the rarticles ,being washed. This re peated squeezing, flexing and expanding action while energetic and effective does not tend to tangle or distribute the clothes unevenly about the sides, but rather tends to impart a symmetrical distribution to them, and this is particularly desirable since it insures uniformity of cleansing `and also leaves the clothes in well balanced condition for the spinning or drying operation.

It may also be observed that the movement of the clothes through therestricted passageway is facilitated by the fact that the pumping action in one direction is supplemented by a partial suction or vacuum action in the other direction thus in considerable measure utilizing the vacuum principle of cleansing which is recognized in the art as a h-ighly efficient theory. It will also be noted that the side walls of the upper portion of the receptacle are not perforated since this section is above the normal water level, when at rest, and this conditionaccelerates the upward and vinward movement of the water and clothes on the down stroke of the receptacle. Furthermore perforation of the upper wall is 'unnecessary for centrifuglnglpurposcs because of the fact that during that operation'the water, as noted, does not reach that level.

Conversely, the side walls and bottom of the lower receptacle section are profusely perforated since that is necessary for speedy drying of the clothes; and also to facilitate the movement of the water therethough to quickly produce suda. When the predetermined washing period has expired the motor 11 is stopped and drainage oi' the water is effected either solely by gravity or preferably by starting the motor-88 andpump 84- in which event the water can be elevated to a storage receptacle if desired for further use. Concurrently with such drainage it may be desirable to also start the motor 68 thus spinning the receptacle.- Such spinning would not be for drying purpose but merely to insure discharge of scum which may accumulate on the surface of the water above the clothes.

After drainage of the wash water has been sufficiently completed rinse water is injected into lthe pipe 21 and this not only supplies a sufficient quantity for rinsing the clothesbut because of 'the arrangement of the perforations in this pipe effectively flushes the entire machine. The

.clothes rinsing operation is performed exactly To dry the clothes it is only necessary to start the motor 88, which spins the receptacle E, and let it run until the clothes have become as dehydrated as the operator wishes.

With further reference' to structural features and advantages it will be seen that since the upper and lower bearings (41 and 59, 83) are Widely separated and very sturdy, steady and mechanically efficient structure is obtained. It will also be noted that for inspection or `repair purpose the machine can be disassembled and reassembled very` quickly and easily, it only being necessary to remove the unit 43 to free the upper parts, and by removing nut 65a the entire center unit may be lifted out. Y I

` Turning now to the modified construction 4shown in Figs. '9 to 12, inclusive, of the drawings,

it will be observed that the housing is sup ported on the base frame 8|, and both of these units support the tub 82 much as in the preferred form.

The clothes receptacle 83 is also substantially duplicated except for the baffle which, in vthis instance is in the form of an inwardly extending ledge mounted on the side wall so as to form a restricted inner opening 85 for the passage of water and clothes, in place of an outer annular passage.

The receptacle 83 is mounted on a hollow spindle 88 the upper end of which rotates in bearings 81 housed within a sleeve 88. This sleeve has avflange 89 at its upper end while a complemental flange 98 extends froma packing unit 9| threaded on the lower end of the sleeve. The flanges 89 and 98 are clamped against upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of a pair of circular cushion members 92, having tapered peripheral surfaces conforming with wedge acting surfaces of the base plate 93 thus tightly yet resiliently supporting the clothes receptacle.

The spindle or sleeve 86 extends down over an upstanding shaft 94, the lower end of which is rigidly secured by nut 95 in the hub 98 of a pulley 91. The hub 98 rotates in a self-aligning bearing cage 88 secured in the base frame 8| by screws 99 and retention ring |00. Pulley 91 is driven by belt |0| from pulley |02 of motor |83, and the pulley in turn rotates shaft 94 and the spindle 88 splined thereto as at |84. The drive connectionl for spinning the clothes receptacle is thus completed.

, the spindle 86 may rotate but which'is held against vertical movement with respect thereto.

The modified forms of baiiles 84a, 84h, 814e, 84d,

and 84e, shown in Figs. 13 to 17, inclusive, define p restricting passageways of different shapes or v,

contours, and in some instances may be found preferable to the styles shown in Figs. 1' and 9;

.It is to be understood that various other and further modifications may be made in the construction and details of the machines as herein f described, providing such modifications` come,

within the spirit and `scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully disclosed the preferred embodiments of the invention4 what I desire to protect by Letters Patent and claim is; 1. In a washing machine, a tub, a perforated receptacle mounted for'reciprocating movement in the tub and in suiliciently close. proximity to the inner wall of the tub to restrict the flow'of fluid between the tub and receptacle in the directions of reciprocation, said receptacle having end chambers connected by a restricted passageway through which the articles to be washed together with the washing uid will pass back cross sectional area of which is substantially less than the cross sectional area of said chambers whereby the clothes will be intermittently compressed as they travel back and forth through the passageway under reciprocating movements of the receptacle. I

5. In a washing machine, a supporting frame,

a tub thereon, a vertical spindle mounted in the frame, a perforated clothes washingreceptacle mounted on the spindle, means for reciprocating the spindle for piston-like actiong'in the tub and receptacle to wash clothes in the latter. and a and forth from one chamber to the other and in directions opposite to the reciprocatory movements of the receptacle, said restricted passageway operating to constrict and ex the articles as they pass from one chamber to the other, and means for reciprocating the receptacle to perform the washing operation.

2. In a Washing machine, a generally vertical tub, a receptacle mounted for vertical reciprocation in the` tub in close proximity to the wall thereof so as to restrict the flow of fluid vertically between the tub and receptacle during such reciprocation, said receptacle having upper and lower perforations through which fluid and air may be circulated in and out under pumping and suction action produced by the piston acting reciprocations of the receptacle in the tub, and baffle means Within the receptacle separating it into two chambers connected by a restricting passageway through which articles being washed v elongated tub adapted to contain cleaning fluid f in its lower part, a receptacle mounted in the tub and having a perforated lower portion adapted to be submerged in the fluid, means for vertically reciprocating the receptacle in the tub and in close proximity to the wall thereof to produce a pumping action whereby the fluid and materials to be cleaned will be alternately actuated from end to end in the receptacle by suction and cornpression at opposite ends oi the receptacle, and a baille member disposed in a transverse plane within the receptacle to divide the same into end chambers connected by a restricted passageway.

4. In a clothes washing machine, an upright tub, a perforated receptacle of substantially the same external diameter as the internal diameter of the tub mounted for vertical reciprocation within the tub tn wash the clothes, and a transversely disposed member arranged within the receptacle to form upper and lower chambers therein connected by a clothes passageway the bafiie disposed within the receptacle transversely with respect'to the direction of oscillation to separate the receptacle into two clothes receivingrchambers connected by a passageway, an edge of the baille defining part of said passageway, and said baille having upper and lower surfaces converging toward said edge.

6. In a washing machine, an upright tub having a, horizontally extending groove about its inner wall surface, a perforated receptacle mounted for vertical reciprocation and rotary movement in the tub, said tub and receptacle being peripherallygspaced, and a flange extending from the receptacle toward said groove when the receptacle is in apredetermined vertical position whereby a passageway will extend about the edge of the flange, said flange being operative to sub, stantially prevent circulation of fluid vertically through the space and passageway when the tub is moved from said predetermined vertical position.

'7. In a. washing machine, 'a tub, a perforatedv receptacle mounted for axial reciprocation in the tub and normally having substantial peripheral sealing engagement with the tubwhereby the receptacle will have a piston action therein to force fluid through the perforated receptacle when the latter is reciprocated, means for reciprocating the receptacle to produce the washing action, means for spinning the tub when in a predetermined axially stationary position to extract uid from the receptacle and articles having been washed therein, and means operative upon positioning the receptacle in said axially stationary position forwinterrupting said substantial sealing engagement and providing full clearance between the receptacle and tub.

8. In a washing machine, a generally upright tub, a perforated receptacle mounted for axial reciprocation in the tub and for piston like action therein to force cleaning liquid through the receptacle and thereby cleanse articles therein, means for alternately reciprocating the receptacle in the tub, means for spinning the receptacle to extract moisture therefrom when the receptacle is in an axially stationary position in'the tub, and means operative upon bringing the receptacle to rest axially with respect to the tub and in said axially stationary position :to provide peripheral clearance between the tub and receptacle whereby the receptacle may spin out of contact with the tub.

9. In a washing machine, a generally upright tub, a perforated receptacle mounted in the tub for vertical reciprocation therein to perform the washing operation and for spinning action when in a vertically stationary position in the lower end of the tub to centrifugally extract moisture therefrom, means for vertically reciprocating the receptacle, and means for spinning the receptacle, said receptacle and tub being so formed that they will have substantial peripheral sealing engagement with respect to each other during `receptacle having walls entirely enclosing its interior, and said receptacle having connected end chambers' deilned in part by a baille member disposed substantially midway between the ends of the receptacle and which baille memberv deilnes a restricted'passageway whereby the clothes are constricted and exed as they alternately pass from one chamber to the other.

11. In a clothes washing machine, a tub for containing cleansing fluid, a perforated clothes receptacle'mounted for rectilinear reciprocating action in effective sealing contact with the tub ,whereby the cleansing iluid will be pumped through the receptacle to cleanse the clothes therein as it passes therethrough, said receptacle having walls entirely 'enclosing its interior, and said receptacle having connected end chambers defined in part by a baille member disposed substantially midway between the ends of the receptacle andy which baille member denes a restricted passageway whereby the clothes are constricted and flexed as they alternately pass from one chamber to the other, said baille member being` supported axially within the receptacle and having outwardly converging upper and lower surfaces adapted to guide the clothes into said restricted passageway.

12. In a clothes washing machine. a tub for containing cleansing iluid, a perforated clothes receptacle mounted for rectilinear reciprocating action in the tub and in effective sealing proximity thereto whereby the cleansing iluid will be pumped through the receptacle to cleanse the clothes therein as it passes therethrough. said receptacle lhaving: walls entirely enclosing its f interior, and .said receptacle having connected end chambers defined in part by a baie member disposed substantially midway between the ends of the receptacle and which baille member denes a restricted passageway whereby theclothes are constricted `and flexed as they alternately pass Way.

from one chamber to the other, said, baille member being supported axially within the receptacle and having an outwardly sloped upper surface adapted to direct the clothes into said passage- ARTHUR D. LUND.

REFERENCES crran Y The following references are oirecord in the 4tile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number, i Name Date 448,654 Jantz Mar. 24, 1891 480,105 Lapham Aug. 2, 1892 482,684 Herder Sept. 13 1892 1,175,815 Robbins Mar. 14, 1916l 1,294,682 Lillibrldge Feb. 18, 1919. 1,338,501 Erich Apr. 27, 1920 1,548,247 Bennett Aug. 4, 1925 1,911,903 Kirby May 30, 1933 2,101,634 Aldridge Dec. 7, 1937 2,142,961 Kuhn Jan. 3. 1939 2,147,303 Lang Feb. 14, 1939 2,172,620 Molinare Sept. 12, 1939 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,439,215. April 6, 1948.. ARTHUR D. LUND It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 6, line 57, for unit 91 read nut 91 column 8, line 11, claim 5, strike out the Words "for piston-like action in the tub" and insert the same in line 10, same claim, after "spindle and before the comme.; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may 'conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oice.

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of June, A. D. 1948.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Am'atant onwnfisaoner of Patente. 

